A Design Insider's Guide to New York City
New Yorker faves, hidden gems, & other can’t-miss recos to enjoy an unforgettable trip to the Big Apple
People ask me all the time for my New York recommendations, and I’m always happy to oblige. I take pride in giving people the real New York experience and sharing all my secrets accumulated across (almost) two decades living here. Typically, I shoot over a rambling list of tips and links, so this guide is my attempt to formalize that and (admittedly selfishly) make it easier to share.
I’m not putting things on here just because you’d expect to see them (or if I do I’ll provide my honest thoughts). I want to share the places that stylish, in-the-know New Yorkers frequent IRL, not random people on Tik Tok. That might include some so-called ‘tourist traps’, but only if the hype is real. And I’ll try to share the perspective that you might not get as a visitor.
Read it in email (be sure to ‘click to expand’ to see the full post because there’s a lot to get to) but then be sure to save and refer back in Substack as I’ll continue to update this list with new discoveries — because that’s the beauty of NYC, there’s always something new to see/experience/do/eat.
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sense of spen• cer
noun [sɛns, əv, ˈspɛnsər]
Reflecting one’s identity through their interiors
A home with character and soul
When a house becomes a home
I’m not only a resident, occassionally I’m a tourist too — pictured on a staycation at The Bowery Hotel
In case you’re wondering whether you should trust my tips, here are my credentials: I grew up in Connecticut a quick train ride away and came in to ‘the City’ (as we refer to it) all throughout my childhood to visit museums, see shows, shop etc. It was almost inevitable that I’d move there, and that’s what I did. After studying art history in college, I started a career in the creative space, first in advertising and brand marketing and later as an interior stylist — so I see NYC through the lens of design, always seeking beautiful things.
Although I currently live in Brooklyn, I lived in Manhattan for the majority of my time here, and since that’s where most visitors concentrate their time, that’ll be my focus for this guide (but trust there will be a follow up with all my recommendations for Brooklyn).
So without further ado, here are the spots that I love to frequent, with a mix of insider-y things and tourist spots that are actually worth your time.
The Guggenheim Museum, Upper East Side
Stroll around Central Park: This is an obvious one for a reason. If I had to lay out a perfect day in NYC, it would always include a stroll through CP. The best way is to wander aimlessly but at some point make sure to hit Bethesda Fountain, the tunnel beside it (where you’ll find gorgeous mosaics), the tree-lined Mall up the stairs, the children’s boat pond next to the Alice in Wonderland statue (in summertime you can actually rent toy boats to sail), Strawberry Fields (esp for a Beatles fan) and Sheep’s Meadow. Bonus: bring along a blanket, newspaper, and a picnic and sit in the Meadow on a beautiful day; there’s nothing else like it.
Visit a museum: Again, duh. The trick is how to narrow them down. The Museum of Natural History is great for kids of course, and it’s such a throwback, a museum from another time. For art appreciators, The MET has something for everyone — from some of the most important impressionist paintings outside of Europe and American art to mummies to the Costume Institute. The MoMA is the greatest hits of modern art from Warhol’s soup cans to van Gogh’s Starry Night; your jaw is pretty much on the floor the whole time. The Whitney Museum and Guggenheim are excellent for modern/contemporary art, but I’d recommend looking up what exhibits are on and see if any of them appeal to you (note: oftentimes you’ll have to get tickets for that specific exhibit/window). If you want something a bit off the beaten path, I’d recommend The Frick (temporarily relocated in another building) or Neue Galerie (while there stop in to Café Sabarsky for Viennese pastry) which are both jewel boxes, the museums themselves as stunning as the art contained therein.
The MET Cloisters: For those who want an escape from the hustle and bustle, take a 30-minute subway ride to the the only museum in America dedicated exclusively to the art and architecture of the Middle Ages and step out to enjoy the beauty and peacefulness of the surrounding park with views of the Hudson River.
Tour of Rockefeller Center: Most of Rockefeller Center is on view to the public, but the tour will point out some hidden gems and help you appreciate the history of this Art Deco masterpiece. Here’s a taste of what you can expect.
Stop by Grand Central Station: I’m privileged that I get to pass through this station every time I go home, and I recommend a visit even if you’re not traveling anywhere just to see the magnificent ceiling covered in constellations (that was almost destroyed until Jackie O helped save it). Depending on the time of day, grab a drink and some oysters at the famous Grand Central Oyster Bar (I would not recommend a meal — my husband took his parents recently, and the food wasn’t great and was overpriced) or a cocktail at the lesser known Campbell Apartment which is an ornately restored space from the 1920’s.
People watch in Washington Square Park: Downtown there’s less access to green parks, so this one attracts a lot of residents on a nice day. I find it fascinating that the same park was the center of Edith Warton’s New York in the Gilded Age as well as downtown counterculture in the 20th and now 21st centuries. Sit on a bench and soak it in.
Stroll along the Highline: They really nailed it when they converted the abandoned raised railroad into a park. I love that it’s planted with native perennial plants that grow so wild and free. Wander north and you can also check out Floating Islands, another modern-day public park.
Visit the 9/11 Memorial: Still so many years later, I am so moved every time I go to the Memorial. It’s a very peaceful, contemplative place to sit and remember. I can’t bring myself to visit the Museum, but I’ve heard it is very respectful and well done. There’s also the option to go to One World Observatory – if you want to do a viewing experience, this is the best one.
Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge: During the pandemic, my now-husband and I would walk across the bridge to get back and forth between our respective homes in Brooklyn and Manhattan when not a sole was on it. Now I begrudgingly share it with visitors. It is such a marvel of engineering to see up close, and the views aren’t bad. Though I’d never be up, my husband tells me it’s become quite popular for sunrise. When you get to the other side, grab coffee and a treat at Dawn’s Til Dusk, ice cream at the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory, lunch at Luke’s Lobster or Ceccone’s (or pizza at Grimaldi’s if you must), a drink at High Tide (seasonal) or the 1 Hotel rooftop1 Hotel rooftop. You can walk back across or take the ferry for a different kind of experience.
Hudson River Park: The former shipping port was converted into a park that stretches from the southern tip of Manhattan to the Meatpacking district. Along the way there are spots to get a drink/snack, sit and take in the river views, or pick up a game (tennis courts, volleyball, mini golf and more).
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